Meaning & use
genetically modified crops
Last updated
Meanings
nounplural
Crop plants whose genes have been changed by scientists to give them useful new qualities.
Grammar: Always used in the plural because it refers to crops in general; for one plant say 'a genetically modified crop'.
Patterns
- grow genetically modified crops
- ban genetically modified crops
- genetically modified crops are ...
Some farmers grow genetically modified crops that need fewer chemicals.
The government has strict rules about testing genetically modified crops.
Many shoppers avoid food made from genetically modified crops.
nounpluraltechnical
The scientific and political issue of using such crops, especially in food production.
Grammar: Used as a topic label, often with verbs like 'debate' or 'oppose'.
Patterns
- the debate about genetically modified crops
- opposition to genetically modified crops
- labeling of genetically modified crops
The debate about genetically modified crops divides consumers and scientists.
She wrote her thesis on the regulation of genetically modified crops.
Labeling of genetically modified crops is required in many countries.
Common combinations
- genetically modified food
- Some people refuse to buy genetically modified food.
- GM crops
- GM crops are grown widely in parts of the Americas.
- grow genetically modified crops
- They grow genetically modified crops to survive dry seasons.
- ban genetically modified crops
- Several countries ban genetically modified crops completely.
Synonyms and how they differ
- GM crops
- A short, informal abbreviation common in British media; the full phrase is more formal and clearer in academic writing.
- GMO crops
- Common in American English, though 'GMO' can also refer to the organisms themselves rather than only crops.
Word family
- genetic engineering noun
- The science of changing genes in living things.
- genetically modified adjective
- Describing a plant, animal, or food whose genes have been changed.
Commonly confused: genetically modified crops or organic crops?
genetically modified crops vs organic crops
Organic crops are grown without certain chemicals, but they are not necessarily non-GM; the two labels refer to different farming rules.
Practice
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase is plural and takes no article when talking generally: 'genetically modified crops'. Option 2 uses the singular without an article, option 3 mixes 'a' with a plural, and option 4 invents a wrong plural form.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “genetically modified crops”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.